Scottish Executive

Animals

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken in Scotland on genetically modified vaccines for animals.

Ross Finnie: Research on genetically modified vaccines for animals is required to be notified to the Scottish Executive and the Health and Safety Executive under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000. No such activities covered by these regulations have been notified for Scotland. However, some research is being undertaken on immune systems that could eventually lead to the development of such vaccines.

Animals

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what security measures are in place to ensure that no genetically modified vaccines for animals are deliberately or accidentally used in Scotland without strict supervision.

Ross Finnie: Activities involving genetically modified micro-organisms are prohibited unless they comply with the Contained Use Regulations 2000 and relevant sections of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Applications must satisfy the regulatory authorities that the activity can be undertaken in conditions which are safe for humans and the environment.

  The prescribed conditions include the provision of risk assessments in relation to human health and safety and environmental protection; the establishment of a local safety committee to advise on risk assessments; classification of all activities into one of four categories related to the degree of risk; notification to the competent authority of an intention to use premises for genetic modification for the first time; notification to the competent authority of individual activities other than those defined as of no or negligible risk, and the preparation of an emergency plan for any reasonably foreseeable accident.

  Enforcement of the contained use regulations is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. Their inspectors have extensive powers to enter premises and to require the production of relevant documentation.

Asylum Seekers

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for addressing the medical needs of residents of Dungavel detention centre.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Home Office is responsible for the Immigration detention centre at Dungavel House. Discussion is taking place with Lanarkshire NHS Board about appropriate arrangements for the medical needs of individuals held there.

Asylum Seekers

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) regarding the length of time clients are expected to stay in emergency accommodation while awaiting a NASS decision on support in the light of the Social Justice Committee’s response to Petition: PE242 on asylum seekers published in February 2001.

Jackie Baillie: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including asylum seekers.

Dentists

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of those graduating from dental courses in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland after graduation to undertake dental vocational training.

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of dentists who completed their vocational training in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland working as dentists afterwards.

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of non-Scottish students graduating from dental degree courses in Scotland in each of the last three years remained in Scotland after graduation to undertake dental vocational training.

Susan Deacon: This information is not currently available in the form requested. The Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education is currently working with ISD Scotland to map the characteristics and supply dynamics for the dental workforce in Scotland. This is a particularly complex task, and involves detailed analysis of data for those undertaking dental vocational training in Scotland. It is expected that the project will report in the next three to six months.

Drug Misuse

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether voluntary physical co-ordination tests for those suspected of driving while under the influence of drugs were piloted prior to their introduction in June 2001 and, if so, what the results of any such pilots were.

Iain Gray: In 1999, Strathclyde police were involved in trials of drug recognition techniques and field impairment testing. An evaluation found that the techniques helped police in identifying those whose driving might be impaired through drugs. The research findings on the evaluation are published on the DTLR website at:

  http://www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/research17/index.htm

Drug Misuse

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary physical co-ordination tests for those suspected of driving while under the influence of drugs have been undertaken by the police since their introduction in June 2001 and what percentage of drivers tested have failed such tests.

Iain Gray: The information requested is not held centrally. The level and manner of testing is an operational matter for chief constables.

Enterprise

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an extension or replacement of the new futures fund when it expires in April 2002.

Ms Wendy Alexander: I announced on 4 September 2001 that the new futures fund is to continue for a further three-year period from 1 April 2002   on the same basis as before.

Finance

Mike Watson (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can now give the allocation of end-year flexibility by department.

Angus MacKay: I refer the member to the following table: copies of which will be placed in the Parliament’s reference centre.

  


 


Budget 
  

Underspend
(A) 
  

EYF award
(B) 
  

Difference
(B minus A) 
  



 


£ million 
  

£ million 
  

£ million 
  

£ million 
  



Culture & Sport 
  

127 
  

5.7 
  

6.3 
  

0.6 
  



Education 
  

280 
  

86.5 
  

101.9 
  

15.4 
  



Enterprise & Lifelong Learning 
  

1,969 
  

38.4 
  

35.8 
  

-2.6 
  



Health 
  

5,506 
  

143.8 
  

159.4 
  

15.6 
  



Justice 
  

601 
  

52.2 
  

48.7 
  

-3.5 
  



Social Justice (including Executive Secretariat) 
  

667 
  

121.9 
  

131.4 
  

9.5 
  



Environment & Rural Affairs 
  

1,129 
  

66.8 
  

66.8 
  

0.0 
  



Transport 
  

782 
  

32.1 
  

32.1 
  

0.0 
  



SE Administration 
  

200 
  

24.8 
  

24.8 
  

0.0 
  



Local Government Borrowing Consents 
  

379 
  

28.6 
  

11.6 
  

-17.0 
  



General Register Office for Scotland 
  

23 
  

2.1 
  

2.0 
  

-0.1 
  



National Archives of Scotland 
  

 


0.7 
  

0.6 
  

-0.1 
  



Audit Scotland 
  

100 
  

0.2 
  

0.2 
  

0.0 
  



Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 
  

 


47.8 
  

47.8 
  

0.0 
  



Crown Office 
  

51 
  

2.0 
  

3.3 
  

1.3 
  



Forestry Commission 
  

78 
  

-1.7 
  

0.0 
  

N/A 
  



Food Standards Agency 
  

4 
  

2.3 
  

0.7 
  

-1.6 
  



EU Structural Funds 
  

132 
  

3.8 
  

8.5 
  

4.7 
  



Modernising Government Fund/Capital Modernisation Fund 
  

13 
  

22.3 
  

17.5 
  

-4.8 
  



Sub-total 
  

 


680.3 
  

699.3 
  



Provision for Business Rates Appeals 
  

 


38.0 
  

19.0 
  

-19.0 
  



Totals 
  

 


718.3 
  

718.3

Finance

Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15092 by Angus MacKay on 26 April 2001, whether its draft budget for 2002-03 is still based on the current rate of basic income tax.

Angus MacKay: Yes. The Executive has no plans to use the tax-varying power for the term of this Parliament.

Fisheries

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the recommendation of the 3rd Report 2001 of the European Committee, Reforming the Common Fisheries Policy , that zonal management committees should have formal decision-making power.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive agrees with the European Committee’s proposal that zonal management committees should be set up under a reformed common fisheries policy. The committee’s report recommends delegated decision-making powers only after an appropriate transition period. The Executive envisages zonal committees initially having an advisory role but that their scope and function should be subject to periodic review.

Fisheries

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17195 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, what representations it will make to Her Majesty’s Government on the issue of formal decision-making powers being made available for regional management committees in the EU fishing industry and whether any meetings are scheduled to that end.

Rhona Brankin: None.

  As previously stated, the agreed UK position is supportive of the setting up of regional bodies, and that careful consideration should be given to what powers such bodies should have.

Fisheries

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17196 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, whether it will specify exactly which groups and individuals, other than Franz Fischler, she has spoken to on the matter of formal decision-making powers for fisheries regional management committees.

Rhona Brankin: I have discussed the matter of formal decision-making powers for fisheries regional management committees whenever relevant during my meetings this year with groups and individuals which discussed fisheries issues.

Fisheries

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17197 by Rhona Brankin on 20 August 2001, what member states will be attending the meeting of fisheries directors in mid-September, what other international fisheries-related meetings are scheduled before the European Fisheries Council on 25 October 2001 and what nations will be represented at any such meetings.

Rhona Brankin: An informal meeting of fisheries directors is to be held on 11 September. I understand that representatives from all member states with fishing interests in the North sea have been invited.

  Assuming the question refers to EU fisheries-related meetings, the Council of Ministers holds regular meetings at both working group and COREPER levels. Details of the EU meetings to be held before the European Fisheries Council on 22 October can be found on the Commission’s Europa website at http://europa.eu.int/

Health

Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its current targets are for reducing the incidence of (a) heart disease, (b) cancers, (c) teenage pregnancies, (d) sexually transmitted diseases and (e) strokes.

Susan Deacon: Public health targets are set out in the White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland ( Cm 4269 )  which is available in Parliament’s reference centre. If these very stretching targets are to be met by 2010, a concerted effort by a range of agencies as well as NHSScotland will be required.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether batches of blood and blood products produced before heat treatment was introduced in 1987 continued to be used to treat patients in the NHS after heat treated blood products were available and, if so, when they ceased being used.

Susan Deacon: Factor VIII concentrates issued by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Services SNBTS since December 1984 have been heat-treated. Initially this heat treatment was to 68ºC but SNBTS subsequently developed a new product able to withstand a more severe heat treatment to 80° C.

  This new product first became available for routine use in late April 1987 but in order to establish patient tolerability it was phased into use carefully over a number of weeks. I understand that all haemophilia A patients in Scotland who were being treated with SNBTS Factor VIII were receiving the new product by early August 1987, by which time any residual use of the SNBTS 68° C treated product had ceased.

Industry

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing any recruitment difficulties arising from the image of the manufacturing industry.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive is hosting a campaign called "Make   it   in   Scotland" ,  which will challenge young people’s perceptions of the manufacturing industry and better inform career choices. At the core of the campaign is a series of local roadshows for S2 pupils.

  Roadshows will involve young people from local and national companies running hands-on activities that will challenge perceptions of manufacturing. A website aimed at the pupils themselves, a teaching pack for schools and a branding initiative are also supporting the campaign.

  We are building on the successful pilot work undertaken in East Ayrshire in January-March 2001. In the 2001-02 session there will be an opportunity for S2 pupils in Ayrshire, Glasgow and Angus to attend a local roadshow. We plan to rollout the campaign nationwide for all S2 pupils in Scotland in the 2002-03 academic year.

Justice

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many supervised attendance orders were imposed by courts during 2000.

Mr Jim Wallace: In the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, a total of 2,401 supervised attendance orders were imposed.

Justice

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons served periods of custody due to non-payment of fines in 2000, giving the average time served and the average fine involved.

Mr Jim Wallace: Reliable figures for 2000 are not yet available. 1999 information is given in tables 29, 30, 32 and 33 of Prison Statistics Scotland, 1999 published by the Scottish Executive in 2000, a copy of which is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. no. 11180).

Justice

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 27(4) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last three years.

Mr Jim Wallace: The number of people with a charge proved in sheriff courts, where there was a bail aggravation under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, was 4,752 in 1997, 6,764 in 1998 and 6,741 in 1999. Final data for the year 2000 are not yet available. Information is not held centrally on the number of prosecutions where a breach of bail by reoffending was libelled on the indictment or specified on the complaint but which did not result in a conviction.

Justice

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last three years.

Mr Jim Wallace: Section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act came into force on 30 September 1998. Between then and the end of 1999 a total of 71 persons were proceeded against in sheriff courts where their main offence was under this section. A charge was proved for 54 of these persons. Final data for the year 2000 are not yet available.

Police

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what training is given to police surgeons taking part in joint paediatric and forensic examinations of children suspected of having been abused.

Mr Jim Wallace: Chief constables are responsible for recruiting and training police surgeons in their areas. A range of training is employed by Scottish forces. This includes study towards the diploma in forensic medicine and the diploma in medical jurisprudence, undertaking forensic medical examiners course, attending the Edinburgh coloscopy course and the Newcastle child abuse facility, induction training with paediatric staff, development and advanced training on sexual assaults and child abuse and attendance at conferences of the Association of Police Surgeons.

Police

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted prior to attempts by Strathclyde police to secure TV footage from the BBC and STV of the recent Govanhill protests in Glasgow and what its position is on the issue.

Mr Jim Wallace: No. The policing of the Govanhill protests, and the subsequent investigation to identify those responsible for the violence and disorder that occurred, are operational matters for Strathclyde police.

Prison Service

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce plans for the future of HM Prison Peterhead.

Mr Jim Wallace: This is part of the Prison estates review on which I intend to consult later this year.

Public Transport

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Strathclyde Passenger Transport regarding any proposed European legislation which might lead to part privatisation of the Glasgow underground system.

Sarah Boyack: I am aware of the potential impact on the Glasgow underground of the Commission’s proposal for an EU regulation on public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterways. I highlighted the Glasgow situation when I addressed the EU transport council in Luxembourg in June as part of the UK delegation. The draft regulation has a long way to go through the EU process and the Executive will ensure that Scotland’s interests are reflected through the UK stance throughout these negotiations.

Public Transport

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will assess the cost implications for the Glasgow underground system of the European draft legislation on tendering for public transport systems.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is aware that Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE) has assessed the costs associated with tendering the Glasgow underground system in accordance with the latest draft of the European Commission’s proposal for an EU regulation on public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterways. SPTE consider that those costs could be disproportionate to any benefits which might be received. The Executive has no plans to conduct its own assessment.

Rail Network

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-17361 by Sarah Boyack on 21 August 2001, whether it has made any representations to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, the Health and Safety Executive’s railway inspectorate, Railtrack, the Rail Regulator or the British transport police regarding safety at the road/rail level crossing at Cornton, Stirling.

Sarah Boyack: I have nothing further to add to the answer given to question S1W-17361.

Schools

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been undertaken to identify improvements in schools which are attributable to the allocation of extra money announced on 6 December 2000 by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs.

Mr Jack McConnell: These additional resources for schools, amounting to £17.2 million, were for immediate repairs, maintenance and equipment problems within schools. It was a condition of payment of this grant that, by 29 June 2001, education authorities should publish locally information about what has been achieved through the allocation of these additional resources and that they should submit to the department a report listing for each school how much has been allocated to it and what that amount has been spent on.

Scottish Executive Publications

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and launch, of Connecting Scotland: our broadband future .

Ms Wendy Alexander: The total cost of producing and distributing the document Connecting Scotland: our broadband future was £6,252.93.

Scottish Executive Staff

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities exist for Executive staff to gain work experience within European institutions and for members of the European civil service to gain work experience with the Scottish Executive.

Angus MacKay: Scottish Executive staff may gain work experience within European institutions through the European Commission/Council Stagiare Scheme, the detached national expert scheme, the bi-lateral civil service exchange scheme, loans to FCO to work in the United Kingdom Representational Office (UKRep) in Brussels, short-term exchanges to other EU administrations and opportunities to work as/assist pre-accession advisers. Members of the European civil service have the opportunity to gain work experience with the Scottish Executive through participation in the bi-lateral civil service exchange scheme or though short-term exchanges organised between their own administrations and the Scottish Executive.

Shipbuilding

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Clyde Shipyards Taskforce in securing the long-term future of and offsetting job losses at the BAe Systems shipyard at Scotstoun.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Clyde Shipyards Task Force, which is considering the immediate and longer term strategic issues facing the Clyde shipbuilding industry, has established four sub-groups to progress the following areas of work:

  Strategy for the upper Clyde shipyards;

  Strategy for skills;

  Strategy for redundancy management; and

  Strategy for wider community management.

  Work is well under way and the task force expects to report to ministers by December 2001.

Social Justice

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage the growth of the community development finance sector.

Jackie Baillie: I am pleased to announce the launch of Social Investment Scotland, a new loan fund for the social economy. Social Investment Scotland will provide loan finance and technical assistance to social economy organisations with the aim of stimulating wealth in disadvantaged communities by encouraging enterprise. The four Scottish clearing banks are providing loan finance of £3 million. The public sector is contributing £2 million to support the operational costs and development activity of the fund, to which I am making available £1,225,000 in grant over the next five years.

Tourism

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the announcement on 7 August 2001 by the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic of a £36 million funding package to improve tourist and visitor facilities in the Highlands and Islands, what the source is of the £24 million funding from the private sector; how much of this is currently available; what funding the private sector will make available in each of the next three years; what individuals or businesses applying for assistance under this package will have to meet; whether any funding sought by an individual or business will require to be matched by that individual or business, and whether assistance received under this package will require to be repaid at any time.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: The source of the £24 million from the private sector will be the estimated 600 businesses who are expected to apply for assistance from the schemes over the next two-and-a-half years. Projects already approved total £6.1 million private sector contribution. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the private sector commitment will be made in the first two years of the programme and 40% in the third.

  All applicants will require to produce a business plan including a marketing plan. Successful applicants will have to commit to Investors in People, and be members of the VisitScotland quality assurance scheme and Green tourism business scheme, and be members of their area tourist board.

  It is anticipated that the average level of private sector contribution will be two thirds of the total cost. Grants are not normally repaid if the conditions of offer of assistance are fulfilled.

Wildlife

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16509 by Rhona Brankin on 30 July 2001, how many licences applied for under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 were refused in each year since 1990.

Rhona Brankin: Statistics of this kind covering inquiries, requests for advice and unsuccessful applications are not collated. Whilst some information may be retrievable from the relevant files, this would provide only an incomplete picture and would be likely to incur disproportionate costs.

  As indicated in previous answers, detailed records are held in relation to all licences which are issued under section 16 of the Act.

Wildlife

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the predators of red squirrels are; what action it plans to take in order to control such predators; whether there is any justification for issuing licences to kill red squirrels and, if so, how many such licences have been issued in each of the last 10 years.

Rhona Brankin: Predators of red squirrels include domestic dogs and cats, some members of the weasel and stoat family and some birds of prey. The main threats to red squirrels come from competition from grey squirrels and from habitat loss and fragmentation. Predation is not significant in the context of efforts to conserve the red squirrel. No action is therefore planned against red squirrel predators.

  Licences to kill or take red squirrels can be issued in terms of section 16(3) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). In each of the last 10 years the following licences have been issued:

  


 


Licences Issued 
  

Animals Killed/Taken 
  



1990-93 
  

nil 
  

0 
  



1994 
  

1 
  

21 
  



1995 
  

1 
  

23 
  



1996 
  

1 
  

0 
  



1997 
  

1 
  

0 
  



1998-present 
  

nil 
  

0